Literal or Symbolic?

From the time of the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century there has been great debate among Christians concerning the Eucharist. On one hand, the Catholic Church holds that Jesus is literally present with his body, blood, soul, and divinity under the appearances of bread and wine in the Eucharist. On the other hand, the common consensus among Protestant and Evangelical Christians is that Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist is merely symbolic. Could Jesus have taught both doctrines? Is it true that Jesus only intended for us to symbolically ‘eat his flesh and drink his blood’ as he says in chapter six of John’s Gospel? Or should all Christians be taking Jesus’ words literally? What is the truth about Jesus’ teaching on this matter?

In this fascinating talk Andrew Wood will plumb the depths of Scripture by looking at the accounts of Jesus’ public ministry as recorded in the Gospels. Andrew will take you back into the first century to see not only what Jesus himself understood by his doctrine, but also to see how Jesus’ disciples and even his enemies understood Jesus on this issue. This will definitely enable you to decide for yourself what Jesus actually taught concerning his presence in the Eucharist. This is indeed a most important talk for anyone intent on taking Jesus’ teachings seriously!

1 CD. 1 Hour.

Listen to a Sample of this Talk

Cover artwork:
The Last Supper by Jacopo Bassano (1510-1592)